Hepatic microcirculatory disturbances in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective To document morphological changes in hepatic microcirculation in liver tissue w ith hepatitis B and the pathogenesis of hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.Methods Liver tissue samples were obtained from patients with hepatitis B by liver biops y.These samples were examined with a light microscope and transmission electro n microscope. Results Hepatic microcirculatory disturbances existed in patients with hepatitis B, inc luding those with normal liver function, manifested by red blood cell aggregatio n in sinusoids seen under light microscope and sinusoidal capillarization seen u nder electron microscope.Weibel-Palade bodies in sinusoidal endothelial cells were seen in 26 out of 53 cases.Intimate contacts were found between lymphocy te/Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Conclusions Hepatic microcirculatory disturbances exist in patients with hepatitis B.The a ppearance of Weibel-Palade bodies in sinusoidal endothelial cells may be a key step in the development of hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.